Indians complain of ill-treatment in Mideast

It's a story of exploitation and apathy that we have heard often enough. But perhaps for the first time, the shocking reality about the lives of hundreds of Indian labourers who went to the Middle East has been revealed.

Around 46 poor labourers from UP, Orrisa and Bihar -- employed by a Jordanian garment manufacturer -- came back with images of their daily fight for survival.

They were promised homes but were living in one of the most deplorable conditions and had no access to water or electricity.

"They did not give us food, water, no salary for months. There was no electricity in the hostel. We did not get rice, just these dry rotis," said one of the workers.

When the workers complained and struck work for three months they were deported back to India and that too without being paid a month's salary.

"I went with the dream to live there for three-four years and improve my family's condition, but the dream is now shattered. The factory is shut and I don't know how we will move on from here," said Sanjay Kumar Pradhan, a tailor.

On landing in Mumbai their first stop was the agent's place who sent them there. The workers went there to demand compensation for money lost. But the effort didn't help at all because the agency told them they could do little, especially since the workers had gone on strike.

"Out of 160 workers only 40 odd have come back. There must be a problem with these men so they have been deported," said Surender Kannwal, from Cansun Management Consultants.

The workers have not filed a police complaint as they say they cannot afford the legal tangle. However, they say that their experience will not stop them from returning to work in the Middle East.